Safeguarding Adult Policy

Safeguarding Adults Policy

Helen Ward Therapy
Trading name of ResolvedRM Ltd

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: 30/05/26
Review Date: 30/05/27

1. Purpose

Helen Ward Therapy is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, dignity, rights and autonomy of all adults who engage with the practice.

Safeguarding is an integral part of ethical therapeutic practice. Whilst maintaining client confidentiality is fundamental to the therapeutic relationship, there are circumstances in which the need to protect an individual or others from harm may require confidential information to be shared in accordance with legal, ethical and professional responsibilities.

This policy sets out how safeguarding concerns involving adults will be recognised, assessed, managed and recorded.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all adult clients receiving services from Helen Ward Therapy.

It also applies where concerns arise regarding:

another adult who may be at risk;
members of a client's family;
carers;
any adult who may be affected by information disclosed during therapy.

3. Legal and Professional Framework

This policy has been developed with reference to:

Care Act 2014;
Mental Capacity Act 2005;
Human Rights Act 1998;
Data Protection Act 2018;
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR);
BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions;
relevant local safeguarding procedures.

4. Principles of Safeguarding

Helen Ward Therapy is committed to the following safeguarding principles:

promoting wellbeing;
preventing abuse and neglect where possible;
respecting dignity, rights and autonomy;
empowering individuals to participate in decisions affecting them;
acting proportionately;
working collaboratively where appropriate;
maintaining accurate records;
balancing confidentiality with the duty to protect.

Safeguarding decisions will always seek to achieve the least intrusive response consistent with protecting the individual or others from significant harm.

5. Who May Be an Adult at Risk?

An adult may be considered at greater risk where they:

have care and support needs (whether or not these are currently being met); and
are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
are unable to protect themselves because of those care and support needs.

Helen Ward Therapy also recognises that adults who do not meet the statutory definition may nevertheless experience significant vulnerability requiring careful assessment and appropriate action.

6. Types of Abuse

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

physical abuse;
emotional or psychological abuse;
sexual abuse;
financial or material abuse;
neglect or acts of omission;
discriminatory abuse;
domestic abuse;
coercive or controlling behaviour;
modern slavery;
organisational abuse;
self-neglect where appropriate;
exploitation, including online exploitation.

7. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise through:

direct disclosure;
observations during therapy;
information provided by another person;
changes in presentation or behaviour;
concerns identified through risk assessment.

Not every concern will require a safeguarding referral. Each situation will be assessed individually using professional judgement, available information and applicable legal and ethical guidance.

8. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Where a safeguarding concern arises, Helen Ward Therapy will:

listen carefully and respectfully;
avoid making promises of absolute confidentiality;
gather sufficient information to understand immediate risk;
assess the seriousness of the concern;
consider the individual's wishes where appropriate;
consider mental capacity where relevant;
seek supervision, consultation or legal advice where appropriate;
take action proportionate to the identified risk.

The welfare and safety of the individual will remain the primary consideration.

9. Information Sharing

Confidentiality is fundamental to therapy but is not absolute.

Information may be shared without client consent where there is a lawful basis to do so, including where:

there is a serious risk of harm;
safeguarding responsibilities require disclosure;
disclosure is required by law;
another overriding public interest applies.

Where possible and appropriate, clients will be informed before information is shared.

Only the minimum necessary information will be disclosed.

10. Mental Capacity

Where relevant, Helen Ward Therapy will have regard to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Adults are presumed to have capacity unless there is reason to believe otherwise.

Where concerns exist regarding decision-making capacity, appropriate professional guidance will be followed.

11. Emergency Situations

Where there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, Helen Ward Therapy may contact:

emergency services;
relevant safeguarding authorities;
other appropriate agencies.

Such action may be taken without client consent where necessary to protect life or prevent serious harm.

12. Record Keeping

Safeguarding concerns will be recorded promptly and accurately.

Records should include:

relevant facts;
observations;
disclosures made;
risk assessment;
actions taken;
rationale for decisions;
referrals made;
consultation obtained where applicable.

Records will be objective, factual and stored securely in accordance with the Record Keeping Policy.

13. Professional Consultation and Supervision

Safeguarding decisions can involve complex ethical and legal considerations.

Where appropriate, Helen Ward Therapy will seek guidance through professional supervision, consultation with relevant professionals or legal advice before making decisions, unless immediate action is required to protect someone from serious harm.

Any consultation will respect client confidentiality and only the information necessary to obtain appropriate guidance will be shared.

14. Responsibilities

As a sole practitioner, Helen Ward is responsible for:

maintaining safeguarding knowledge and competence;
recognising safeguarding concerns;
undertaking appropriate risk assessment;
maintaining accurate records;
making referrals where necessary;
seeking consultation where appropriate;
reviewing safeguarding procedures regularly.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where there are changes to legislation, professional guidance or safeguarding procedures.